- European Council President António Costa says diplomacy must be matched by “practical work” on security guarantees for Kyiv.
- EU leaders held a video conference Tuesday to align next steps after Monday’s Washington meetings.
- Costa backs advancing a NATO-style pledge with continued U.S. engagement; prisoner exchanges and the return of abducted children listed as priorities.
The Big Picture
European leaders moved to convert Monday’s high-level Washington meetings into concrete steps for Ukraine’s long-term security. In a fresh readout, the UK Prime Minister’s Office said the Prime Minister co-chaired a virtual session of the “Coalition of the Willing” with more than 30 leaders, aligning on robust security guarantees and closer coordination with the United States. Subsequent references appear without hyperlinks.
What’s New
The UK readout describes a “constructive” call and “real unity” around a just, lasting peace for Ukraine. Planning teams from the Coalition will meet U.S. counterparts in the coming days to refine plans for guarantees and prepare a reassurance force if fighting stops. Leaders also discussed increasing pressure on the Kremlin, including through additional sanctions, until Russia shows it is prepared to end its invasion.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc will train Ukrainian soldiers, strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces and defense industry, and advance another Russia sanctions package next month. She emphasized the “palpable” unity among EU leaders in today’s virtual summit and reiterated that Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted, according to her public statement on social media.
The unity among EU leaders in today’s virtual Summit was palpable.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) August 19, 2025
Everyone is committed to a lasting peace that protects both Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.
What They’re Saying
According to DPA news agency, European Council President António Costa said there is “growing momentum around providing Ukraine with security guarantees” after he hosted a virtual summit of EU leaders to debrief Monday’s talks in Washington. “Now is the time to accelerate our practical work to put in place a guarantee similar to NATO’s Article 5 with continued United States engagement,” president Costa added.
In a post on social media platform X, European Council President António Costa said, “I have convened a video conference of the members of the European Council for a debriefing of today’s meetings in Washington, D.C., about Ukraine. Together with the U.S., the EU will continue working towards a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
Context
On Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, President Donald J. Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders at the White House for a bilateral and a larger multilateral session focused on security guarantees, assistance, and conditions for renewed diplomacy with Russia. On Tuesday, Aug. 19, EU leaders convened by video at 13:00 CEST (7:00 a.m. ET) to align the bloc’s position after the Washington talks. The UK’s new readout replaces earlier statements, reflecting the coalition’s plan to tighten work with U.S. counterparts and keep pressure on Moscow.
What’s Next
Coalition planning teams are expected to meet U.S. counterparts in the coming days to detail security guarantees and contingency plans for a reassurance force if hostilities cease. EU institutions, led by the foreign policy chief, will move ahead on training, defense-industry support, and the next sanctions package. Further readouts are anticipated as leaders coordinate a framework that protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s wider security.
The Bottom Line
Diplomacy is gaining speed, but leaders say hard guarantees must follow. The coalition is now turning pledges into planning—paired with pressure on Moscow and sustained U.S. engagement—to anchor any future peace.
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